Employer broke my confidence

buttercups88

I was recently diagnosed with an illness which would require regular time off for hospital appointments. I went to my boss to discuss it with her and told her the situation. She was very understanding and told me there was nothing at all to worry about. It would be all fine and let me leave early for day. (It was a Friday). On Monday I went back into work as usual to find she had called a short staff meeting after I left (very small company in a small town where everyone knows everyone) and told everyone the full details of my situation. I am so upset of this, I really thought I could confide in her. Especially as when I was talking to her I had said I hadn't told many people yet outside immediate family and one or two friends. One of the people she told is the town gossip and I know she will blab to everyone and anyone.

When i confronted my employer she was very unapologetic and said that she needed to let them know that I would be needing time off and when they asked why she told them.

I've no idea if I can continue working there after such a breach of trust. But I don't think I could go through job hunting process at the moment.

Darc19

That's called constructive dismissal.

Basically her actions have created an environment where you find it difficult to work in and she may well have done it purposely.


It's also a flagrant breach of confidentiality.


If you feel that you cannot work there anymore, you can sue for constructive dismissal, but I'd have a chat with a solicitor

Dublinandy3

Darc19 wrote: »

That's called constructive dismissal.

Basically her actions have created an environment where you find it difficult to work in and she may well have done it purposely.


It's also a flagrant breach of confidentiality.


If you feel that you cannot work there anymore, you can sue for constructive dismissal, but I'd have a chat with a solicitor

I agree with this comment. On the face of it it sounds like that, it doesn't matter who (the gossip you mention) it's the fact it was done. However we don't know all te details and possibly best you don't share them on here. Speak to a solicitor and take it from there

NIMAN

buttercups88 wrote: »

I was recently diagnosed with an illness which would require regular time off for hospital appointments. I went to my boss to discuss it with her and told her the situation. She was very understanding and told me there was nothing at all to worry about. It would be all fine and let me leave early for day. (It was a Friday). On Monday I went back into work as usual to find she had called a short staff meeting after I left (very small company in a small town where everyone knows everyone) and told everyone the full details of my situation. I am so upset of this, I really thought I could confide in her. Especially as when I was talking to her I had said I hadn't told many people yet outside immediate family and one or two friends. One of the people she told is the town gossip and I know she will blab to everyone and anyone.

When i confronted my employer she was very unapologetic and said that she needed to let them know that I would be needing time off and when they asked why she told them.

I've no idea if I can continue working there after such a breach of trust. But I don't think I could go through job hunting process at the moment.

I don't think she did anything wrong by informing the rest of your work mates that you might be needing some time off, as it probably would affect them in that someone might have to cover you.

But she had absolutely no reason to tell them the details. That was out of order. Wasn't her right to do so, imho.

horse7

Wouldn't it be worse if you were told that they no longer needed you,be positive about the situation,at least you don't have anything to hide now.

Field east

I hope that your health improves and that you return to full health . What was done was extremely inappropriate and very wrong. Some managers/business owners/supervisors an be very good at the technical/economic aspects at their job but could be ‘blind’ with regards as to how other aspects should be handled. You are in the best position to know the reason why confidentiality was not respected. BUT be careful as to what you now do for three reasons:-
- if you go down the road of constructive dismissal, and whether you succeed or not, you will always have that tag attached to you whether you like it or not. Ireland is a very small world and news gets around. A telephone call here and there re background can find out a lot
- if you ever leave the company ,or any other job irrespective of the circumstances, you would hope that you would get a very positive reference, written or not.
- ask yourself how you would feel in the long term depending on which action you take.
I suggest that you continue to report for work, behave as you normally do - very professionally I assume, see how things pan out and if you are still not happy to stay with the company THEN pick your time with regards to resigning. In the meantime discretely look around for other possibilities but maybe not immediately.

Mrs OBumble

She made a mistake in not agreeing with you first what and when your colleagues would be told.

At a minimum, they had to know you will be going to medical appointments. And if they don't know what for, they would speculate, perhaps guessing worse than you've got.

Will there need to be accommodations made to your job? Will colleagues need to pick up extra work?

PCeeeee

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

At a minimum, they had to know you will be going to medical appointments. And if they don't know what for, they would speculate, perhaps guessing worse than you've got.

No. They do not need to know the nature of the appointments. Medical or otherwise.

WoollyRedHat

buttercups88 wrote: »

I was recently diagnosed with an illness which would require regular time off for hospital appointments. I went to my boss to discuss it with her and told her the situation. She was very understanding and told me there was nothing at all to worry about. It would be all fine and let me leave early for day. (It was a Friday). On Monday I went back into work as usual to find she had called a short staff meeting after I left (very small company in a small town where everyone knows everyone) and told everyone the full details of my situation. I am so upset of this, I really thought I could confide in her. Especially as when I was talking to her I had said I hadn't told many people yet outside immediate family and one or two friends. One of the people she told is the town gossip and I know she will blab to everyone and anyone.

When i confronted my employer she was very unapologetic and said that she needed to let them know that I would be needing time off and when they asked why she told them.

I've no idea if I can continue working there after such a breach of trust. But I don't think I could go through job hunting process at the moment.

Did they identify the illness itself? If so that's a big no no.

Strumms

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

She made a mistake in not agreeing with you first what and when your colleagues would be told.

At a minimum, they had to know you will be going to medical appointments. And if they don't know what for, they would speculate, perhaps guessing worse than you've got.

Will there need to be accommodations made to your job? Will colleagues need to pick up extra work?

No, WHY exactly would they need to know ? Beyond being nosy ?

If employee Y asks.. “ hey, where is X this morning ? “

the answer just has to be...

“ Y has needed to take some time off “

If a manager is pressed on it... “ yes but WHY ? “

“ Employees including yourself can have different needs for taking and requiring A/L, those reasons are between the applicant and the company management, we don’t comment on why you want annual leave / time off so don’t ask why others want it“

If colleagues need to pick up extra, they just need to do it. They will if people are sick, on annual leave, if someone leaves before a replacement is hired...

No employee is entitled to be given personal information regarding another employee... be it their health, personal life, family situation or otherwise...

ineedeuro

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

She made a mistake in not agreeing with you first what and when your colleagues would be told.

At a minimum, they had to know you will be going to medical appointments. And if they don't know what for, they would speculate, perhaps guessing worse than you've got.

Will there need to be accommodations made to your job? Will colleagues need to pick up extra work?

No they don't

If they speculate that is on them. Just because the office busy body is going around it doesn't stop the rest of the office to tell them to shut up.

ineedeuro

buttercups88 wrote: »

I was recently diagnosed with an illness which would require regular time off for hospital appointments. I went to my boss to discuss it with her and told her the situation. She was very understanding and told me there was nothing at all to worry about. It would be all fine and let me leave early for day. (It was a Friday). On Monday I went back into work as usual to find she had called a short staff meeting after I left (very small company in a small town where everyone knows everyone) and told everyone the full details of my situation. I am so upset of this, I really thought I could confide in her. Especially as when I was talking to her I had said I hadn't told many people yet outside immediate family and one or two friends. One of the people she told is the town gossip and I know she will blab to everyone and anyone.

When i confronted my employer she was very unapologetic and said that she needed to let them know that I would be needing time off and when they asked why she told them.

I've no idea if I can continue working there after such a breach of trust. But I don't think I could go through job hunting process at the moment.

If this is correct and I know its hard to give details on an open forum you should go straight to a solicitor. Your boss is trying to make work impossible for you so you will leave.

She didn't need to tel them anything and the fact she sent you home and done it straight away confirms she knew what she was doing.

KaneToad

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

She made a mistake in not agreeing with you first what and when your colleagues would be told.

At a minimum, they had to know you will be going to medical appointments. And if they don't know what for, they would speculate, perhaps guessing worse than you've got.

Will there need to be accommodations made to your job? Will colleagues need to pick up extra work?

Really?

It's none of their business why you are not there. It's between you & the employer.

Mrs OBumble

Strums how would you react if you were told to pick up extra work every Tuesday afternoon, cos your colleague was suddenly given extra time off - for no good reason as far as you could see.

You'd be saying it was unfair and calling them lazy, and asking when your extra holidays are.

ineedeuro

KaneToad wrote: »

Really?

It's none of their business why you are not there. It's between you & the employer.

Some people seem to like giving advice when it is clear they haven't a breeze what they are talking about.

KaneToad

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Strums how would you react if you were told to pick up extra work every Tuesday afternoon, cos your colleague was suddenly given extra time off - for no good reason as far as you could see.

You'd be saying it was unfair and calling them lazy, and asking when your extra holidays are.

I wouldn't. I'd work my contracted hours & my assigned tasks. My colleagues hours are none of my business.

ineedeuro

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Strums how would you react if you were told to pick up extra work every Tuesday afternoon, cos your colleague was suddenly given extra time off - for no good reason as far as you could see.

You'd be saying it was unfair and calling them lazy, and asking when your extra holidays are.

:P
Keep digging.
It's none of my business why someone else has to leave the office or have time off.
If someone in my office had an issue with it, they would be the one I would be asking to leave.

Strumms

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Strums how would you react if you were told to pick up extra work every Tuesday afternoon, cos your colleague was suddenly given extra time off - for no good reason as far as you could see.

You'd be saying it was unfair and calling them lazy, and asking when your extra holidays are.

You don’t know me, so don’t be putting words in my mouth ‘I’d be saying’.. absolute nonsense.

I’ve been in a situation where I had to pick up extra.... at the time I wasn’t informed why, I was just made aware for several Tuesdays over about 6 months in the end... a colleague was not going to be present in the afternoon every Tuesday .... ‘ a family situation ‘ it transpired their kid was having psychological issues, behavioral , and was being brought to a psychologist every Tuesday... the employee was given unpaid leave as his wife wasn’t dealing with whatever was going on too well, he wanted to support his family... that came out months later....

At the time not knowing the situation I thought it to be odd, but I wasn’t knocking on doors asking for personal information about a colleague to be shared with me..something was up, I just got on with my job...

Darc19

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Strums how would you react if you were told to pick up extra work every Tuesday afternoon, cos your colleague was suddenly given extra time off - for no good reason as far as you could see.

You'd be saying it was unfair and calling them lazy, and asking when your extra holidays are.

I would have no issues whatsoever. I would assume that hr/manager/owner has agreed to it and it would be none of my business what the reasons are.

In most workplaces there are regular planned absence. Currently I have one person who has hospital appointments for their child every Monday afternoon, another that sees a psychiatrist on Thursdays and another that would be quite religious and therefore we never ask her to work Sundays.

I know their reasons, no-one else does as it's none of their business. But likewise it's my job to ensure other people's workload doesn't increase.

Fairly basic staff management

Shelflife

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

She made a mistake in not agreeing with you first what and when your colleagues would be told.

At a minimum, they had to know you will be going to medical appointments. And if they don't know what for, they would speculate, perhaps guessing worse than you've got.

Will there need to be accommodations made to your job? Will colleagues need to pick up extra work?

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Strums how would you react if you were told to pick up extra work every Tuesday afternoon, cos your colleague was suddenly given extra time off - for no good reason as far as you could see.

You'd be saying it was unfair and calling them lazy, and asking when your extra holidays are.

Sorry Mrs O B but this is clearly wrong, why an employee is out is no ones business as long as its cleared with their boss.

if your job is to make 40 widgets per day and the op also has to make 40 widgets per day it would clearly be unfair to ask you to make 80 widgets on the days the op is off. if thats expected of you then you can have a chat with your boss to get cover on the days they are off.

Why they are off ,sick, unpaid, extra holidays is no ones business.

kathleen37

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

She made a mistake in not agreeing with you first what and when your colleagues would be told.

At a minimum, they had to know you will be going to medical appointments. And if they don't know what for, they would speculate, perhaps guessing worse than you've got.

Will there need to be accommodations made to your job? Will colleagues need to pick up extra work?

Seriously? You think her only mistake was not agreeing what the colleagues should be told?

I sincerely don't get the majority of your posts and genuinely wonder if you post just to play devil's advocate?

I hope that doesn't come across as snottery. I'm just genuinely curious.

jimmycrackcorm

Mrs OBumble wrote:

Strums how would you react if you were told to pick up extra work every Tuesday afternoon, cos your colleague was suddenly given extra time off - for no good reason as far as you could see.

Ridiculous point. Like objecting to someone using their statutory annual leave because you might have to do some work to cover they're not available.

How do you manage when your work colleagues are on leave,? Or are you only happy if you know what they're planning to do when they are on leave?

Will you also complain if they have to go to more than one family funeral in a single year?

hurleronditch

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Strums how would you react if you were told to pick up extra work every Tuesday afternoon, cos your colleague was suddenly given extra time off - for no good reason as far as you could see.

You'd be saying it was unfair and calling them lazy, and asking when your extra holidays are.

But that’s not the OPs problem, that’s the employer’s problem. If that situation happens, the employer either needs to have additional staff available to support the employees that are working, or else manage the shortfall in other ways.

At no time is the answer “I need to tell everyone Mary has condition XYZ so that they all understand why she’s not in work”. If one of my employees asked where Mary is I’d just say she’s not in today and if they pushed for more info I would tell them in no uncertain terms that’s not their problem, they are paid to come in and do their own 9 hours and to focus on that.

Mrs OBumble

hurleronditch wrote: »

At no time is the answer “I need to tell everyone Mary has condition XYZ so that they all understand why she’s not in work”. If one of my employees asked where Mary is I’d just say she’s not in today and if they pushed for more info I would tell them in no uncertain terms that’s not their problem, they are paid to come in and do their own 9 hours and to focus on that.

Totally agree with the first sentence.

But unless you say "medical reasons" or some other plausible reason agreed in advance with the employee, the colleague with just assume it's ok to now be a lazy bint and take a day off every week. And they'll be looking for their day a week off too.

Your proposed reply will destroy team spirit and loyalty VERY quickly.

vikings2012

OP

You have mentioned that you will find it difficult to work with your colleagues going forward. You should not be made feel this way.

The details of your illness did not need to be disclosed to your fellow colleagues. Your boss/manager was wrong to do this.

I strongly believe that you should have a chat with a solicitor in this field. They can provide you with some trusted advice.

This must be a terrible breach of trust for you.

In my opinion you have been wronged. I question what other information your boss has or will indeed share going forward.

georgewickstaff

I'm am growing increasingly tired of the contrarian nonsense the poster Mrs O'Bumble defaults to. She is 100% wrong in this instance.

While constructive dismissal is not really a runner at this early stage I would be more certain that this a very serious data breach on the employers part

Given the fact there was no permission given to divulge personal medical information to other employees this is probably how I would be raising my grievance.

Also if you are now experiencing adverse treatment from your employer and/or their employees I would also be cataloguing this and consulting their dignity policy in relation to harassment for a medical condition. Check to see if your condition is a "disability" under the act.

Good luck

Steven81

A couple of people whom report to me got the vaccine early due to medical conditions, one guy asked me what condition did they have, my answer was that they were in the age bracket currently despite I think it was over 60s and these in their 40s.He didn’t believe that so I kept making up stupid stuff, in the end he stopped asking.

Throughout the years people have told me of depression, splitting up with partners, serious illness and sons/ daughters in trouble with guards and I wouldn’t ever think of telling a work colleague,

Mrs OBumble

georgewickstaff wrote: »

I'm am growing increasingly tired of the contrarian nonsense the poster Mrs O'Bumble defaults to. She is 100% wrong in this instance.

There's an Ignore function. Use it.

Mrs OBumble

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

There's an Ignore function. Use it.

Does it not resonate with you at all that not a single person here agrees with you, and those that take the opposite position to you have tens of thanks. If it were me in your position I would be considering whether my stance is actually wrong

Unless you are being contrarian for the sake of it

ineedeuro

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Totally agree with the first sentence.

But unless you say "medical reasons" or some other plausible reason agreed in advance with the employee, the colleague with just assume it's ok to now be a lazy bint and take a day off every week. And they'll be looking for their day a week off too.

Your proposed reply will destroy team spirit and loyalty VERY quickly.

I think you speak for yourself in this situation, the rest of us don’t act like that. Don’t tar the rest of the world with that poor attitude.

LegacyUser

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Totally agree with the first sentence.

But unless you say "medical reasons" or some other plausible reason agreed in advance with the employee, the colleague with just assume it's ok to now be a lazy bint and take a day off every week. And they'll be looking for their day a week off too.

Your proposed reply will destroy team spirit and loyalty VERY quickly.

I’m sorry but that is complete nonsense, there is no scenario that would ever necessitate that level of personal information being disclosed to other employees. EVER.

punisher5112

The op in no way owes anybody an explanation whether it's work colleagues or the security man on the door or delivery driver or whatever.....

The boss the op went to was understanding it seems on the day they confided but beyond that they were more then unprofessional.

It's nobodies and I really mean nobodies business unless the op wants them to know or discloses it themselves to others.


How could anyone be defending this????

I've luckily had no medical issues but I have been on the brink with the type of behaviour where others would be fed information without my knowledge and also things put on me that weren't true or trying to sack on conditions they set out which fell outside even their scope to actually proceed with any disciplinary even though nothing wrong was done,bits an absolute head melter.

In all honesty if I were the op I would be really tipping to the no going back side as all confidence is gone and personal circumstances and health issues are t up for anyone else to discuss such as what happened.

I'd go as far to say they have a very strong case and I would suggest speaking to your doctor and possibly even consider going out on stress from the whole situation.... Now I'm not one for oh sue sue sue etc but sometimes people are given no choice and it really depends on the op whether they would have any trust going back.... I wouldn't

Meeoow

OP, can you go to HR about this?
It is not acceptable for your boss to inform people of your business. You shouldn't have to ask them to keep it to themselves, they should be professional enough to know this.
I believe in karma, and someday, maybe their medical issues will be outed, see how they like it.
In most of my jobs, I have heard bosses and managers discussing employees business, and especially discussing interview candidates. Most of them are very unprofessional, and love gossip and discussing other people's business.

AndrewJRenko

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Totally agree with the first sentence.

But unless you say "medical reasons" or some other plausible reason agreed in advance with the employee, the colleague with just assume it's ok to now be a lazy bint and take a day off every week. And they'll be looking for their day a week off too.

Your proposed reply will destroy team spirit and loyalty VERY quickly.

Unless of course, the other employees, like the vast majority of people on this thread realise that it is none of their business what other employees get up to, and that people are entitled to privacy in their workplace, regardless of what times they work or don't work.

OP - your employer probably breached your data protection rights as well, if you really want to have a go at them.

brightspark

It's not even necessary to tell your employer the details (though it may help them understand the need). But the employer should certainly never share that information without clear permission.

Sure colleagues might ask...and should be told "personnel reasons, please respect their privacy and remember yours will also be respected"

the14thwarrior

The manager was wrong, and made a really bad decision. Maybe they just made an error, people do that sometimes.
She should be told so, in no uncertain terms.

however, it would appear that a lot of the answers seem so reactive, so harsh.
Constructive dismissal? maybe but why?
loss of trust and confidence? yes, I would say so with your managr?


you say you would find it hard to work with colleagues now that they know, but I'm not sure why that would be. Some colleagues might even be supportive. Some may not give a crap. Some may give you a hard time (but why???)

Your family know, and a few close friends.................. thats a lot of people that know already......

Relax and take a step backwards.
I think you are overthinking, and over stating it.
its not the end of the world.

hurleronditch

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Totally agree with the first sentence.

But unless you say "medical reasons" or some other plausible reason agreed in advance with the employee, the colleague with just assume it's ok to now be a lazy bint and take a day off every week. And they'll be looking for their day a week off too.

Your proposed reply will destroy team spirit and loyalty VERY quickly.

What utter nonsense.

I’ve had situations where colleagues have had unexplained time off. On some occasions I have never found out why, others I’ve found out afterwards illness, family issues.

Unless you are an unmotivated rabble of vindictive gossips, if a colleague has an issue which requires them to take additional time off you act like an adult, you show a combination of integrity and compassion and get on with your ****ing job and don’t hold it against your co worker.

Mrs OBumble

Deleted User wrote: »

Does it not resonate with you at all that not a single person here agrees with you, and those that take the opposite position to you have tens of thanks. If it were me in your position I would be considering whether my stance is actually wrong

No it doesn't.

This is a discussion forum. It's valuable to examine issues from lots of perspectives. And I don't give a d@mn whether people agree with me or not.

Now, I do agree that the manager made a dreadful mistake. But I think that the core of it was not agreeing a comms strategy with the employee.

Those who think that the other team members are likely to accept the employee disappearing regularly without explanation are naive, at best.

kathleen37

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

No it doesn't.

This is a discussion forum. It's valuable to examine issues from lots of perspectives. And I don't give a d@mn whether people agree with me or not.

Now, I do agree that the manager made a dreadful mistake. But I think that the core of it was not agreeing a comms strategy with the employee.

Those who think that the other team members are likely to accept the employee disappearing regularly without explanation are naive, at best.

Fair enough.

I'm not naïve and my experience of team members seems to be really different to yours.

Peace.

brightspark

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Those who think that the other team members are likely to accept the employee disappearing regularly without explanation are naive, at best.

The explanation is confidential personnel reasons, if any employee isn't satisfied ask them if they want their confidential information spread.

martingriff

horse7 wrote: »

Wouldn't it be worse if you were told that they no longer needed you,be positive about the situation,at least you don't have anything to hide now.

Hide what now there private life. What should they need to know it

PCeeeee wrote: »

No. They do not need to know the nature of the appointments. Medical or otherwise.

What the hell would they need to know that

kennethsmyth

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Strums how would you react if you were told to pick up extra work every Tuesday afternoon, cos your colleague was suddenly given extra time off - for no good reason as far as you could see.

You'd be saying it was unfair and calling them lazy, and asking when your extra holidays are.

Its none of their business and I believe you know this as I think you work in the HR side.

kennethsmyth

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

No it doesn't.

This is a discussion forum. It's valuable to examine issues from lots of perspectives. And I don't give a d@mn whether people agree with me or not.

Now, I do agree that the manager made a dreadful mistake. But I think that the core of it was not agreeing a comms strategy with the employee.

Those who think that the other team members are likely to accept the employee disappearing regularly without explanation are naive, at best.

The other employees get no say in what is a personal matter and you know this, if their is any fallout due to someone having an attitude and "needing to know why" then their manager should be managing and telling them straight its personal and none of their business. But you know this already.

martingriff

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Strums how would you react if you were told to pick up extra work every Tuesday afternoon, cos your colleague was suddenly given extra time off - for no good reason as far as you could see.

You'd be saying it was unfair and calling them lazy, and asking when your extra holidays are.

If that is the way her colleagues react so be it the OP can answer if they feel fit. HR or your higher boss (with permission) are the only ones who would need to know why

martingriff

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Totally agree with the first sentence.

But unless you say "medical reasons" or some other plausible reason agreed in advance with the employee, the colleague with just assume it's ok to now be a lazy bint and take a day off every week. And they'll be looking for their day a week off too.

Your proposed reply will destroy team spirit and loyalty VERY quickly.

There taking time off nobody bar the boss has any right in knowing someone private business. If someone wants to think ill of them thats on that person. They have no right to demand why someone is off

martingriff

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

No it doesn't.

This is a discussion forum. It's valuable to examine issues from lots of perspectives. And I don't give a d@mn whether people agree with me or not.

Now, I do agree that the manager made a dreadful mistake. But I think that the core of it was not agreeing a comms strategy with the employee.

Those who think that the other team members are likely to accept the employee disappearing regularly without explanation are naive, at best.

People take time off. The reason is none of anyone else problem. If its private then it should stay that way and nobody that person works with has no right to there private issues. For some reason you do not get that. If there colleagues get the hump that's there problem

I have had people I work with have to take certain time off on days. There private life is not my concern to know. If my boss came to me and said right we need to have a meeting and tell eveyone why I am off for x day I would politely say no it is private and it is to be kept like that

punisher5112

Anyone that doesn't get it lets just say I'm Mr.B.....


I've had a nervous breakdown or some mental episode.... This by the way is not to make light of any mental issues.....

I wouldn't want a soul knowing about that one bit and ask yourself, would you.....

ineedeuro

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

No it doesn't.

This is a discussion forum. It's valuable to examine issues from lots of perspectives. And I don't give a d@mn whether people agree with me or not.

Now, I do agree that the manager made a dreadful mistake. But I think that the core of it was not agreeing a comms strategy with the employee.

Those who think that the other team members are likely to accept the employee disappearing regularly without explanation are naive, at best.

More rubbish and it does suggest you work in a fairly toxic environment. If this is the case in one of the many companies you work for I suggest you resign. Plenty of other options available

Mrs OBumble

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Now, I do agree that the manager made a dreadful mistake. But I think that the core of it was not agreeing a comms strategy with the employee.

Those who think that the other team members are likely to accept the employee disappearing regularly without explanation are naive, at best.

The core of it was leaving the company open to GDPR fines of €20,000,000, as well as personal litigation from the OP. Nobody deserves to know anything about their co-workers and their medical situation. Nosy busybodies who think otherwise should be given short shrift. Your assertion that team members wouldn't accept it without complaining are refuted by decades of working in places where everyone did just that.

You are way wide of the mark here, I'm afraid.

harvester of sorrow

To think Mrs OBumble used to be a mod here:rolleyes::rolleyes:

MoonUnit75

I guess it's a sign of how little some employers view their employees dignity and privacy. People have zero value and are worth little more respect than what they add to the bottom line. Despicable behaviour. Hard to believe it's being defended here as being some kind of 'comms' oversight.

There is nothing other employees need to know except one person will be working reduced hours on some days of the week or month. Have to laugh at the suggestion that other employees are going to take it as a sign that a person is lazy and getting preferential treatment because they are absent, just shows the mindset of some employers towards those 'beneath them'. There's a whole host of personal reasons why someone might need regular time off and the reasons are no one else's business.